Nevertheless, Lucic's deep affection for both Boston and the Bruins organization was prominently displayed during his press conference on Saturday, following the signing of his one-year contract.
"It feels like I'm returning home," Lucic informed reporters, according to an official team transcript. "I've always felt like a Bruin, and I'm immensely happy and appreciative of the opportunity to be a Bruin once again.
"As time passed, my longing to be a Bruin only grew stronger," Lucic continued. "Interestingly, I found myself tuning into Bruins hockey games. I found myself cheering for the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Patriots. It's one of those things because it was a place where I truly matured."
Lucic, who was drafted by the Bruins in 2006 and won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2011, became a beloved figure in Boston due to his gritty, physical style of play and his willingness to battle in the tough areas of the ice.
That's why supporters of the Black and Gold are ecstatic to have him back, despite him being 35.
"I'm eagerly anticipating it because I've been envisioning this moment for the past seven years," Lucic shared. "I've imagined what it would be like to don the spoked-B, the Black and Gold, once again. That's why I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
"When you start somewhere, I don't want to say I took it for granted. I lived it, and I genuinely appreciated the significance of being a Boston Bruin, living in Boston, playing for an Original Six team, and performing in front of those fans every single night. To get the chance to relive that experience, I'm almost more thankful for it now than I was initially because sometimes you don't fully comprehend how great things are until they're gone."
Lucic also emphasized that his return wasn't solely for a farewell tour. He expressed that he's coming back for the "right reasons" and firmly believes that the Bruins possess a team capable of pursuing a championship.
This sentiment will undoubtedly resonate well with Bruins fans.
POLL | ||
JUILLET 3 | 1 ANSWERS Milan Lucic Expresses How He Feels Returning To Boston Are you excited to watch Lucic play in black and gold again? | ||
Yes | 0 | 0 % |
No | 0 | 0 % |
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